He visited the makeshift huts dotted around the harbor, talking to the injured men and counting how many of them would be recovered enough when he sailed back to Castle Dougal. By now word had spread about the steward’s vile betrayal, and Fin’s men were riled up and champing at the bit for the chance to conquer the castle.
“It won’t be easy,” Fin warned them. “We have to be sure the mercenaries are the ones we kill an’ no’ our clan.”
They discussed various ways of getting around this problem. There were still forty-two soldiers at the castle. They could do a lot of damage to both those trying to leave and those trying to get in.
He noticed Isla and her father come in and stand in the corner quietly, their heads moving from side to side to follow the conversation. Then, Master McDonnell interrupted.
“If it’s all the same to ye, gentlemen, I’ll have a wee rest an’ then head on down to the harbor smithy. The Norsemen left a goodly pile o’ ironmongery behind them when they fled, an’ I’ll be able to start mendin’ yer weapons just as soon as I have the fire hot enough.”
The moment her father was gone, Isla moved closer to where he stood. He was tempted to call her to come and stand next to him, but Finlay was not sure if that was the correct way to acknowledge the blacksmith’s daughter to his men. It was Alex who stepped into the breach.
“Lads! Ye have nae been formally introduced to the blacksmith’s daughter. This young maiden is Miss Isla McDonnell. Dinnae get any ideas about settin’ up a flirtation with her because I have it on good authority that the young lass is spoken for!”
Finlay shot his friend a warning look, but it was too late. Isla would know how he felt about her now, and it was too late to think about how different their circumstances were. He was a penniless warrior without land or home, and she was the wealthy daughter of a frugal and hardworking craftsman.
He expected her to shout out into the room the moment Alex finished speaking, “I’m no’ spoken for! All the laird’s son is good for is a sweet dalliance an’ a few warm kisses in front o’ the fire. When I marry, it will be to a rich an’ powerful man…who likes dancin’!”
